WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats, joined by three Republicans, pushed through a measure Wednesday intended to revive Obama-era internet rules that ensured equal treatment for all web traffic, though opposition in the House and the White House seems insurmountable.

Republicans on the short end of the 52-47 vote described the effort to reinstate “net neutrality” rules as “political theater” because the GOP-controlled House is not expected to take up the issue and the Senate’s margin could not overcome a presidential veto.

Democrats, however, were undeterred, saying their push would energize young voters who are tech savvy and value unfettered access to the internet. “This is a defining vote. The most important vote we’re going to have in this generation on the internet,” said Democratic Sen. Edward Markey of Massachusetts, who sponsored the measure.

Quotesteve...
Republicans on the short end of the 52-47 vote described the effort to reinstate “net neutrality” rules as “political theater” because the GOP-controlled House is not expected to take up the issue and the Senate’s margin could not overcome a presidential veto.

God forbid republicans do something just because it's the right thing to do.

I dunno- kids these days are pretty strongly for net neutrality. I think if a House candidate says “elect me, and flip the House, and we’ll pass net neutrality”, that might inspire a vote or two.

I mean, Republicans do far worse stuff All. The. Time. Like voting for a balanced budget amendment after passing a tax cut that guarantees a return to trillion-plus deficits. Or passing obviously unconstitutional abortion bans that they then spend taxpayer dollars on futilely defending in court. That’s posing.

I dunno- kids these days are pretty strongly for net neutrality. I think if a House candidate says “elect me, and flip the House, and we’ll pass net neutrality”, that might inspire a vote or two.

I mean, Republicans do far worse stuff All. The. Time. Like voting for a balanced budget amendment after passing a tax cut that guarantees a return to trillion-plus deficits. Or passing obviously unconstitutional abortion bans that they then spend taxpayer dollars on futilely defending in court. That’s posing.

This is real stuff. Put Dems in charge, get net neutrality back.

Too late. This attempt was using the Congressional Review Act, which must be acted on within 60 legislative days of the new regulation or rule taking effect. Jan 1, 2019 won't affect this at all.

If you think that the Congress (House and Senate) can achieve a veto-proof majority for Net Neutrality by next January, that is very optimistic!

I dunno- kids these days are pretty strongly for net neutrality. I think if a House candidate says “elect me, and flip the House, and we’ll pass net neutrality”, that might inspire a vote or two.

I mean, Republicans do far worse stuff All. The. Time. Like voting for a balanced budget amendment after passing a tax cut that guarantees a return to trillion-plus deficits. Or passing obviously unconstitutional abortion bans that they then spend taxpayer dollars on futilely defending in court. That’s posing.

This is real stuff. Put Dems in charge, get net neutrality back.

Too late. This attempt was using the Congressional Review Act, which must be acted on within 60 legislative days of the new regulation or rule taking effect. Jan 1, 2019 won't affect this at all.

If you think that the Congress (House and Senate) can achieve a veto-proof majority for Net Neutrality by next January, that is very optimistic!

Didn't say that. I said, put Dems back in charge, get net neutrality back. For those folks that think preserving Social Security/Medicare/Obamacare/equality, etc isn't a flashy enough message to get young folks to vote, this sort of message might help.

I think it's important for people to let the Senate know, by social media, emails, calls, whatever they are comfortable with, that folks are very pleased with this. Perhaps praise can work on Congress the way it works on dogs.

Quotepdq
... Especially if, by that time, we have all gotten to experience non-net-neutrality.

Half of politics is marketing the message.

Example:
We've ALL experienced non-net-neutrality, for years, because there isn't enough competition (or, regulation) to stifle the incessant rise in monthly cable and TV bills. The natural corollary to that is reduced services (channels, bandwidth etc.)

Their costs continually go down, but rates do not reflect that. Companies work hard to say the Internet is optional, and offer lovely tiers as if to prove it, when everyone now realizes it's essential today.

Quoterjmacs
Too late. This attempt was using the Congressional Review Act, which must be acted on within 60 legislative days of the new regulation or rule taking effect. Jan 1, 2019 won't affect this at all.

If you think that the Congress (House and Senate) can achieve a veto-proof majority for Net Neutrality by next January, that is very optimistic!

Didn't say that. I said, put Dems back in charge, get net neutrality back. For those folks that think preserving Social Security/Medicare/Obamacare/equality, etc isn't a flashy enough message to get young folks to vote, this sort of message might help.